Pipe-wrench



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. P. RICE. PIPE WRENQH.

(No Model.)

No. 661,340. Patented June 2, 1896.

2 Sheets--Sheet 2. G. F. RICE.

PIPE WRENGH.

(No Model.)

Patented June 2, 1896.

UNITED STATES FFICE.

GEORGE F. RICE, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

PIPE-WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561 ,340, dated June 2,1896.

Application filed May 10, 1895. Serial No. 548,810. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. RICE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Worcester, in the county of Vorcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement inPipe-VVrenches, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same, andin which- Figure 1 represents a pipe-wrench embodying my invention,shown in said figure with its jaws closed upon a piece of pipe. Fig. 2represents my improved pipewrench with its jaws opened, releasing thepipe. Fig. 3 shows the pipe-wrench with the locking-teeth disengaged andwith the movable jaw and its lever-handle drawn along the bar of thewrench for the purpose of separating the jaws; and Fig. 4 represents theparts of the wrench in the same position as shown in Fig. 3, but with aportion of the fiXed jaw and bar. removed to disclose the longitudinalslot in the bar of the wrench and also with a portion of the movable jawremoved to show the short .arm of the movable or lever handle.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the different figures.

Referring to the drawings, A denotes the bar of the wrench, and B thefixed jaw integral therewith. The bar A is provided with a centrallongitudinal slot 0 to receive the short arm D of the movable or leverhandle D, which is capable of sliding in the slot 0.

The fixed jaw B is preferably formed with a curved and serrated face B,and to the short arm D of the leverhandle I pivot the opposing movablejaw E, preferably provided, like the jaw B, with a curved and serratedface E. Upon the rear side of the barA and upon each side of the slot 0,1 form a series of teeth F, and upon the sides of the lever-handle D,

I form opposing teeth G, adapted to engage the teeth F and lock thelever-handle D and bar A together in order to prevent the slidingmovement of the lever-handle along the slot 0. Suificient space isallowed between the bar A and the inner end E of the movable jaw E toallow the lever-handle to be moved transversely to the bar A to lift theteeth G out of engagement with the teeth F, as represented in Fig. 3,and permit the sliding movement of the lever-handle and movable jawlengthwise the bar Ain order to vary the distance between the fixed andmovable jaws according to the size of the pipe to be seized. When themovable jaw has been brought into proper position relatively to thefixed jaw and with the ends of the handles A and D separated, the endtooth G of the row of teeth G is carried into engagement with the teethF on the bar A, as represented in Fig. 2. In the position shown in Fig.2 the tooth G of the teeth G, engaging the teeth F, serves to hold themovable or lever handle against any movement lengthwise the slot 0 andalso forms a fulcrum, upon which the movable handle rocks, as thehandles D and A are brought together into the position shown in Fig. 1,thereby carrying the movable jaw E against the pipe H and bringing theremaining teeth G into engagement with the teeth F on the bar A andcausing the teeth G to resist the strain incident to bringing thehandles of the Wrench together and applying pressure upon the pipe H.When the pipe H is released, the operation is reversed by separating thehandles, as in Fig. 2, moving the lever-handle transversely to the baruntil the inner end E of the movable jaw is brought in contact with thebar A, and then sliding the movable or lever handle lengthwise the bar,as shown in Fig. 3. WVhen the movable handle slides along the bar A, theinner end E of the movable jaw forms a stop to limit the transversemovement of the lever-handle withinthe slot G and also provides a smoothsurface adapted to slide along the bar A.

The movable jaw E consists of a block provided with a slot G upon itsunder side to receive the short arm 1) of the lever-handle, to which thejaw is pivoted by a pin E The upper edge D of the arm D is preferablyslightly curved to permit a slight rocking movement of the jaw E inorder to allow the curved and serrated face E to adapt itself to theperiphery of the pipe when it is brought into contact with the pipe.

The movable jaw E is readily removable by withdrawing the pin E allowingthe jaw to be replaced or jaws of different shapes to be substituted.

The teeth F and G can be formed integrally with the bar A andlever-handle D, or they can be formed upon separate pieces and attachedto the bar and handle; but when formed integrally with the bar andhandle the entire wrench can be made of suitable cast metal, such asmalleable steel, requiring no machine-work to complete, except thepivoting of the movable jaw E upon the arm D of the lever-handle.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a pipe-wrench, the combination with a bar A and fixed jaw 13, saidbar havinga slot 0 and teeth F, of a lever-handle D, having a short armD, entering said slot, and capable of a sliding movement, bothlengthwise and transversely to said slot, a jaw E attached to 15 movablehandle, substantially as described. 20

Dated this 20th day of April, 1895.

GEORGE F. RICE. Vitnesses:

RUFUs B. FOWLER, HENRY W. FOWLER.

